After September 11, 2001, U.S. officials authorized the cruel treatment and torture of prisoners held in Afghanistan, Iraq, Guantanamo, and the CIA's secret prisons overseas.

This database documents the U.S. government's official experiment with torture. At present, the database contains well over 100,000 pages of government documents obtained primarily through Freedom of Information Act litigation and requests filed by the ACLU, and through litigation of Salim v. Mitchell, a lawsuit brought by the ACLU on behalf of the survivors and the family of a dead victim of the CIA torture program. To learn more about the database, please read the About and Search Help pages. If you're a developer, you can also access this data through our API.

Search Result (6709)

RelevanceDateRelease Date
May 20, 2004 | ACLU-RDI 3804
News artice from The Australian concerning David Hicks, an Australian accused of being a Taliban fighter and his detention at Guantanamo.
Dec. 30, 2004
Other
David Hicks, Sha Mohammed Alikhel
Aug. 15, 2002 | Non-US | ACLU-RDI 3800
This letter is from Ann Clwyd, Member of the British Parliament on behalf of an All-Party Parliamentary Human Group expressing concern over treatment of detainees held at Guantanamo. She voices concern over the "legal limbo" the detainees are in ...
Dec. 30, 2004
Letter
Ann Clwyd
Glyn Davies
JoAnn J. Dolan
Mar. 20, 2003 | ACLU-RDI 3801
Fax Cover Sheet from Amnesty International to Secretary of State Powell re: Human Rights and the War in Iraq. No attachments included.
Dec. 30, 2004
Letter
Colin L. Powell
Colin L. Powell
Feb. 08, 2002 | DOS | ACLU-RDI 3797
DOS Daily Press Briefing conducted by Richard Boucher, with Q&A's from the press corps at the briefing. Subjects covered: Assistant Secretary Beth Jones, Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs recent trip to the countries of ...
Dec. 30, 2004
Other
Richard A. Boucher
Richard A. Boucher
Mar. 18, 2002 | DOS | ACLU-RDI 3798
This is a DOS Routing and Transmittal Slip for DOS Officials to initial - re: UK Detainees at Guantanamo Bay: Application for Judicial Review
Dec. 30, 2004
Letter
Jonathan B. Schwartz
JoAnn J. Dolan | Ed Cummings | David Kaye
JoAnn J. Dolan, Evan T. Bloom, David W. Bowker, Edward R. Cummings, Andre M. Surena, David A. Kaye
Nov. 26, 2004 | DOS | ACLU-RDI 3799
DOS Memo re: Background on Detainee Policy. This is part of a larger memo that is not attached herein. The background information contained here states: On November 13, 2001, President Bush issued a Military order authorizing the detention of ...
Dec. 30, 2004
Non-legal Memo
George W. Bush, Donald H. Rumsfeld
Feb. 13, 2002 | ACLU-RDI 3795
Washington Post Article re: Extended Detention in Cuba Mulled - Officials Indicate Guantanamo Bay Could Hold Tribunals, Carry Out Sentences
Dec. 30, 2004
Other
George W. Bush, Donald H. Rumsfeld
Feb. 08, 2002 | DOS | ACLU-RDI 3796
DOS Daily Press Briefing Index. Lists topics to be discussed: Terrorism - Detainees at Guantanamo/Geneva Convention/International Committee for the Red Cross/Australian Situation Terrorist List; Mexico - General's release from prison; Venezuela - ...
Dec. 30, 2004
Other
Richard A. Boucher
Richard A. Boucher, Beth Jones
Feb. 11, 2002 | DOS | ACLU-RDI 3793
State Department memo from Daveid Bowker to Beverly Holman to "Prepare ALDAC cable to NSC under cover of a Harty-Biegun memo."
Dec. 30, 2004
Non-legal Memo
Beverly S. Holman
David W. Bowker
David W. Bowker, Beverly S. Holman
Feb. 08, 2002 | DOS | ACLU-RDI 3794
DOS interagency delivery checklist for the appropriate handling and delivery of attached documents re: Humane Treatment of al Qaeda and Taliban Detainees
Feb. 07, 2002 | ACLU-RDI 3791
Interview with White House Press Secretary Ari Fleischer, including a discussion of Pakistan and the Daniel Pearl kidnapping.
Dec. 30, 2004
Interview
Ari Fleischer, Richard B. Cheney, Colin L. Powell, Donald H. Rumsfeld
Feb. 07, 2002 | ACLU-RDI 3792
Interview with White House Press Secretary Ari Fleischer concerning the various legal issue involved in the applicability of the Geneva Convention as it pertains to detainees and the Vice President's traveling to Kuwait, Egypt, the United Arab ...
Dec. 30, 2004
Interview
Ari Fleischer, George W. Bush, Richard B. Cheney
Jan. 29, 2002 | DOS | ACLU-RDI 3788
DOS interagency delivery checklist for the appropriate handling and delivery of attached documents re: Detainees in Cuba.
Dec. 30, 2004
Letter
Evan T. Bloom, David A. Kaye, Samuel M. Witten
Jan. 29, 2002 | DOS | ACLU-RDI 3789
DOS interagency delivery checklist for the appropriate handling and delivery of attached documents re: Al Qaida Terrorists Killed.
Jan. 30, 2002 | DOS | ACLU-RDI 3790
State Department talking points on addressing questions about the legal status and treatment of detainees is addressed. The cable states that foreign governments should be told: The legal status of the detainees is currently being reviewed; all ...
Dec. 30, 2004
Cable
Colin L. Powell
Colin L. Powell, David A. Kaye
Dec. 18, 2001 | Non-US | ACLU-RDI 3785
Herald Sun (Melbourne, Australia) News Article re: CIA Grills Aussie Traitor Aboard Ship - David Hicks
Dec. 30, 2004
Other
David Hicks
Jan. 23, 2002 | DOS | ACLU-RDI 3786
DOS interagency delivery checklist for the appropriate handling and delivery of attached documents re: Detainees in Cuba.
Jan. 29, 2002 | DOS | ACLU-RDI 3787
DOS interagency delivery checklist for the appropriate handling and delivery of attached documents re: Summary Combatants Get Humane Treatment.
Dec. 30, 2004
Letter
Evan T. Bloom, David A. Kaye, Samuel M. Witten
Dec. 28, 2004 | DOS | ACLU-RDI 3783
Letter from Margaret P. Grafeld, DOS to Amrit Singh, ACLU re: the ACLU's FOIA Request. The letter states that the document production requested is being complied with in some parts and denied or withheld in part.
Dec. 30, 2004
Letter, Judicial
Margaret P. Grafeld
Margaret P. Grafeld
Dec. 18, 2001 | Non-US | ACLU-RDI 3784
Fax Cover Sheet from the Australian Embassy Washington to Ambassador Prosper re: Australian Detainee David Hicks and an Australian press item of 18 December, 2001
Dec. 30, 2004
Letter
Susan Dietz
Pierre-Richard Prosper
Pierre-Richard Prosper
David Hicks
Apr. 29, 2002 | DOS | ACLU-RDI 3780
This State Department cable provides talking points concerning informing foreign governments about the transfer of their citizens/nationals to Guantanamo after they were picked-up on the battle field of Afghanistan, and policy guidance for ...
Dec. 30, 2004
Cable
Colin L. Powell
Colin L. Powell
Aug. 17, 2002 | DOS | ACLU-RDI 3781
This State Department cable provides talking points concerning informing foreign governments about the transfer of their citizens/nationals to Guantanamo after they were picked-up on the battle field of Afghanistan, and policy guidance for ...
Dec. 30, 2004
Cable
Colin L. Powell
Colin L. Powell, Pierre-Richard Prosper
May 01, 2003 | DOS | ACLU-RDI 3782
State Department memo on a meeting Amb. Prosper had with International Committee for the Red Cross (ICRC) President Kellenberger concerning a certain detainee and the need for "public knowledge" of discussions on his status to address concerns ...
Dec. 30, 2004
Non-legal Memo
Ed Cummings
Colin L. Powell
Colin L. Powell, Pierre-Richard Prosper, Edward R. Cummings, William Howard Taft, IV, Beth Jones
Mar. 18, 2002 | DOS | ACLU-RDI 3778
DOS Memo concerning a UK court proceeding on the application by the family of Brittish national detained at Guantanamo. The court was asked to exercise jurisdiction over the detainee, as a brittish citizen, have him released from U.S. custody and ...
Apr. 05, 2002 | DOS | ACLU-RDI 3779
This State Department cable provides talking points concerning informing foreign governments about the transfer of their citizens/nationals to Guantanamo after they were picked-up on the battle field of Afghanistan, and policy guidance for ...
Dec. 30, 2004
Cable
Colin L. Powell
Colin L. Powell, James A. Larocco
Jan. 16, 2002 | DOS | ACLU-RDI 3775
State Department cable regarding prosecution of non-Afghanis fighting with Al-Qaeda or the Taliban. The cable states that an investigation of such persons will be carried out and, in the event that it is established that criminal acts were ...
Dec. 30, 2004
Cable
Colin L. Powell
Colin L. Powell
Feb. 19, 2002 | ACLU-RDI 3776
This State Department cable provides talking points concerning informing foreign governments about the transfer of their citizens/nationals to Guantanamo after they were picked-up on the battle field of Afghanistan. The cable instructs the ...
Dec. 30, 2004
Cable
Pierre-Richard Prosper
Feb. 21, 2002 | Non-US | ACLU-RDI 3777
Several letters faxed to U.S. Amb. William Farish from Christian Fisher, Solicitors (UK) re: Status of British National Detainee at Guantanamo. The attorneys for the family of the detainee request information such as: what is the legal authority ...
Dec. 30, 2004
Letter
Christian Fisher
William Farish
William Stamps Farish, IV
July 22, 2004 | DOS | ACLU-RDI 3773
Gene Dewey, State Department Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration forwarded this news article about an Army reservist loved by Iraqi detainees for her kindness to Richard Boucher as an example of "Good News" about ...
Dec. 30, 2004
Other
Arthur E. Dewey
Richard A. Boucher
Arthur E. Dewey , Richard A. Boucher
Jan. 11, 2002 | DOS | ACLU-RDI 3774
This State Department cable provides talking points concerning informing foreign governments about the transfer of their citizens/nationals to Guantanamo after they were picked-up on the battle field of Afghanistan. The cable instructs the ...
Dec. 30, 2004
Cable
Colin L. Powell
Colin L. Powell, Brent E. Blaschke , Pierre-Richard Prosper
Aug. 12, 1949 | Non-US | ACLU-RDI 3771
Geneva Convention Article V: Convention (V) Information Bureaux and Relief Societies for Prisoners of War
June 01, 2004 | DOS | ACLU-RDI 3772
Fax cover Sheet from William H. Taft, IV, DOS to John Bellinger, NSC. Attachment not included.
Dec. 30, 2004
Letter
William Howard Taft, IV
John Bellinger
William Howard Taft, IV, John B. Bellinger, III
Jan. 15, 2002 | Non-US | ACLU-RDI 3768
Cover letter from Francois Bujon de l'Esiang to Sec. of State forwarding communique from French Minister of Foreign Affairs Hubert Vedrine.
Dec. 30, 2004
Letter
Francois Bujon de l'Esiang
Colin L. Powell
Colin L. Powell
Mar. 26, 2004 | Non-US | ACLU-RDI 3769
Fax cover sheet from Jean-Philippe Lavoyer to State Department legal Advisor Taftr forwarding a communique from Francios Bugnlon, Director for international Law and Cooperation within the Movement (attachment not included).
Dec. 30, 2004
Letter
Jean-Philippe Lavoyer
William Howard Taft, IV
William Howard Taft, IV
June 08, 2004 | DOS | ACLU-RDI 3770

Fax cover sheet from the Office of the State Department Legal Advisor William H. Taft, IV to Jim Haynes, DoD, General Counsel, Jack Goldsmith, Assistant Attorney General and John Bellinger, NSC. Attachement not included.

Dec. 30, 2004
Letter
William Howard Taft, IV
John Bellinger | William J. Haynes, II | Jack L. Goldsmith
William Howard Taft, IV, William J. Haynes, II, Jack L. Goldsmith, John B. Bellinger, III, Marianne J. Hata
Aug. 12, 1949 | Non-US | ACLU-RDI 3766
Geneva Convention Article 4: Convention (IV) relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War Part I: General Provisions.
Jan. 29, 2002 | DOS | ACLU-RDI 3767
Email forwarding January 29, 2002 newspaper article concerning Australian Taliban David Hicks legal ffforts to be freed from U.S. custody.
Dec. 30, 2004
Email
Beverly S. Holman
Beverly S. Holman
David Hicks
Jan. 06, 2004 | DOS | ACLU-RDI 3763
DOS interagency delivery checklist for the appropriate handling and delivery of attached documents re: Summary of Conclusions for NSC Meeting on Detainees - 12/15/03
Dec. 17, 2004 | DOS | ACLU-RDI 3764
Letter from Margaret P. Grafeld, DOS to Amrit Singh, ACLU re: the ACLU's FOIA Request. The letter states that the document production requested is being complied with in some parts and denied or withheld in part.
Dec. 30, 2004
Letter, Judicial
Margaret P. Grafeld
Margaret P. Grafeld
Oct. 18, 2001 | Non-US | ACLU-RDI 3765
Incomplete printout of the Third Geneva Convention provisions.
Oct. 23, 2003 | DOS | ACLU-RDI 3761
DOS interagency delivery checklist for the appropriate handling and delivery of attached documents re: Deputies Committee Meeting on Guantanamo Detainees
Oct. 27, 2003 | DOS | ACLU-RDI 3762
DOS interagency delivery checklist for the appropriate handling and delivery of attached documents re: Draft Summary of Conclusions for Deputies Committee meeting on Guantanamo Detainees.
Nov. 17, 2004 | DOS | Non-US | ACLU-RDI 3759
State Department presentation delivered by Adam Roberts, Professor of International Relations at Oxford University and Fellow of Balliol College, entitled "Counter-terrorism, Armed Force and the Laws of War."
Dec. 30, 2004
Non-legal Memo
Adam Roberts
July 21, 2003 | DOS | ACLU-RDI 3760
DOS interagency delivery checklist for the appropriate handling and delivery of attached documents re: Summary of Conclusions for Principals Committee Meeting on Detainees - 7/15/03
Jan. 24, 2003 | DOS | ACLU-RDI 3758
DOS interagency delivery checklist for the appropriate handling and delivery of attached documents re: Summary of Conclusions for Principals Committee Meeting on Detainees - 1/16
DOS | ACLU-RDI 3757
Ed Cummings presentation on the applicability of Geneva Convention in War Against Terror against non-state actors.
Dec. 30, 2004
Other
Ed Cummings
Edward R. Cummings
Aug. 12, 1949 | Non-US | ACLU-RDI 3754
Geneva Convention Article 4: Convention (III) Relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War: Part I General Provisions
Mar. 18, 2002 | DOS | ACLU-RDI 3755
This is a DOS Routing and Transmittal Slip for DOS Officials to initial - re: UK Detainees at Guantanamo Bay: Application for Judicial Review
Dec. 30, 2004
Letter
Jonathan B. Schwartz
JoAnn J. Dolan | Ed Cummings | David Kaye
JoAnn J. Dolan, Evan T. Bloom, David W. Bowker, Edward R. Cummings, Andre M. Surena, David A. Kaye
Nov. 14, 2002 | DOS | ACLU-RDI 3756
Email from Ed Cummings with attachment of a presentation entitled: The War Against Terrorism and Combatants for delivery to a Canadian delegation.
Dec. 30, 2004
Email
Ed Cummings
James H. Thessin
James H. Thessin, Edward R. Cummings, Barbara Barret-Spencer
Aug. 12, 1949 | Non-US | ACLU-RDI 3752
Geneva Convention Article 2: Convention (III) Relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War: Part I General Provisions